Outdoor Party Ideas

Fashion a set of napkin rings in no time using grosgrain ribbon and D rings.

Instead of watering down your drink with ice cubes that are destined to melt, give the entire vessel its own ice bucket. Slip one glass container inside another (we found these multipurpose cylinders at a floral-supply shop, jamaligarden.com), and put the ice between them. The effect is dramatic and guarantees that your punch retains its punch.

There's no better way to celebrate a community vegetable garden than with family, friends, and these unforgettable seasonal dishes.

Add a cheerful touch to outdoor drinks with colorful paper butterflies.

Give your outdoor table a laid-back feel with a nautical-inspired tablecloth, matching red napkins, and simple centerpieces.

Personalize table settings and add a touch of seafaring mystery to dinner with message-in-a-bottle place cards.

Paper lanterns don't need to have lights in them to signal an instant party feel. String them above the deck as a festive decoration instead.

Freshly cut large leaves make natural waterproof anchors for summer drinks. Lush foliage, such as the hosta leaves we used, add color to table settings and act as reminders of tropical vacations. Cut leaves early in the day, and set them in water immediately, keeping them hydrated in a container until it's time to serve drinks. Dry before using.

Got an assortment of paper napkins left over from parties past? To make a hodgepodge look festive -- and coordinated -- add a white doily band. Fold two napkins together. Cut a strip from a round or square paper doily; for a band that's lacy on both edges, accordion-fold a small doily in the middle. Wrap it around napkin; tape at back. Tuck in a plastic fork.

This bouquet of maroon cosmos and rich indigo larkspur -- cut from the garden and tucked into an ironstone vessel alongside a compote of blueberries -- is at once lively and serene, and is the perfect arrangement for outdoor entertaining.

Add a burst of patriotic spirit to summer sips with these festive umbrellas.

Set up a low table and colorful plastic chairs by the pool so guests can enjoy small bites and cocktails by the water.

Colorful, casual, and altogether charming, this vintage-style tablecloth is ideal for outdoor entertaining.

Let a flock of colorful paper butterflies loose, and you'll instantly give party decorations a lift.

Playful patterned cuffs spiff up paper napkins and make it a breeze for guests to grab their flatware at a barbecue buffet.

For a prettier and more accessible tabletop at your next barbecue or picnic, decant condiments from their original packaging into small dishes, ramekins, or even mismatched teacups. Arrange them, along with homemade dips, salsas, and sauces, down the table, making sure each diner has everything within reach.

For a summer dinner, place the picnic table underneath the shade of some trees. A white, full-length tablecloth and striped seat covers will give your table setting a fresh but rustic feel.

These lush bouquets have two roles: as centerpieces during a party and as favors for guests to take home after the celebration.

Embellish paper fans as favors for your next get-together. They'll create a welcome breeze for guests on hot, sunny days.

Give your outdoor table a lush centerpiece with a fun, graphic twist.

Flowers and candlelight are nothing new, but together they create tabletop decorations fit for relaxed summer entertaining.

Throw a Sunday morning meal outdoors that parents and their little ones can enjoy -- thanks to a kid-friendly, make-ahead buffet and some fun (read: distracting) activities.

Bars and buffet tables must be adequately lighted, but they're often located far from electrical outlets. An easy, inexpensive solution is to gather clear apothecary bottles and fill them with lamp oil and wicks. Arrange the bottles under a large hurricane for protection. We set these on a sturdy glass cake stand.

These starry s'more sticks add a magical touch to an evening campfire.

Hydrangeas snipped from the garden can echo blue linens that dress your outdoor table. Try mixing formal and everyday platters and serving bowls, flanked by sterling silver, to create an elegant counterpoint to hearty offerings.

Multiple beverage stations help ensure that guests can get a refill without waiting. Galvanized tubs, colorful enamel buckets, and planters work perfectly. Place an assortment of drinks in each bin if they're destined for different locations throughout the yard. Or fill each container with a single type, such as imported beer, white wine, or bottled water. With ribbon, tether an opener to a handle of each bin; drape a dish towel nearby to take care of condensation.

Decking your yard with tiki torches is an inexpensive, festive way to bring island style home -- and to light up the night without electricity.

Pretty paper goods are no match for an unruly summer breeze at an outdoor party. River rocks (available by the bag at garden centers) help keep plates and napkins where they belong, even after they've left the serving table. Pile them in a bucket on the buffet table for guests to grab along with their utensils; you'll avoid having to chase flyaways.

A bottle of icy vodka makes a dramatic bar decoration when it's encased in a frozen layer of colorful flowers and fruit.

Turn kids' metal beach buckets into custom centerpieces by painting them in bright colors.

With a few snips and folds, and a little imagination, you can turn humble paper bags into party-perfect decorations.

Cocktails at sundown are more memorable when you supplement the waning daylight with Asian-inspired lanterns. These tabletop ones consist of colorful sheets of vellum paper sandwiching tall votive candles in glass holders; chopsticks hold the paper in place.

Salute guests at your next outdoor party with garlands made from ribbon in nautical-themed stripes and solids.

Match the informality of a summer buffet with rustic serving dishes fashioned from clay flowerpots and saucers.

Set the table for a whole season of festive cookouts by giving it a new summer coat.

A few easy folds is all it takes to turn plain paper into cheery cups for servings of fresh fruit salad and more.

Two glass vases and tinted water can be combined to create a unique and festive effect on an outdoor table.

Consider bright and bold hues for the table that play up the summer sunset. Martha's Asian lanterns lend romance even when they're not lit.

Here's a great way to chill beverages in time for an impromptu backyard barbecue. Place wine or other bottles in a bucket; add a layer of ice, followed by a layer of salt (coarse or table); repeat until you almost reach the top. Fill the bucket with cold water to just below the ice line. The water in the ice bucket will be colder than normal, chilling the libations in less than 10 minutes.

Light shines through these thin paper sheaths, creating a gorgeous glow.

Enjoy candlelight even on breezy evenings by using hurricane lanterns or jam jars to shield the flames.

In this casual centerpiece, a piece of driftwood stretches along the center of the table, accompanied by clusters of freshly picked flowers and ponderosa pinecones and needles.

Party punch calls for festive ice: giant frozen cubes capturing bright slices of fresh citrus. To make the ice, thinly slice lemons, limes, and oranges, and layer the slices in muffin cups. Fill each cup halfway with water or nonalcoholic punch, and freeze.

Instead of making a marinade with rosemary for grilling, place the herb right on the coals. The smoke enhances food in the same way burning wood chips does. Once the coals are uniformly gray and ashy, loosely cover them with fresh rosemary branches (be careful not to burn your hands). Almost any meat or vegetable will benefit from this savory smoking.

These pretty tassels will keep the wind from blowing your tablecloth away during your next backyard dinner.